Northern Ireland Courthouses: Guidance and Instructions in Ulster-Scots

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether existing and new courthouses in Northern Ireland have guidance and instructions in Ulster-Scots required in the Belfast agreement of 1998; and if not, why not.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: The Belfast agreement of 1998 did not place any direct requirement on the Northern Ireland Court Service to provide guidance and instructions in Ulster-Scots at any of its courthouses.
	The existing processes concerning local availability of information and advice at court venues are currently under review. These reviews will include consultation with court users with particular reference to the accessibility of information.

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill: Consultation

Lord Jacobs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the statement by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton at the Labour Party Conference in September 2001 that the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill was "the result of a bargain between the interested parties", who were the interested parties representing the leaseholders.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government's proposals for commonhold and leasehold reform were the subject of extensive consultation with landlords, leaseholders and other interested parties. The consultation paper on leasehold reform issued in late 1998 received over 950 responses, 77 per cent of which came from leaseholders, leaseholders' resident associations or leaseholder representative organisations. The consultation paper on the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill issued in August 2000 received over 1,050 responses, 76 per cent of which came from leaseholders, leaseholders' resident associations or leaseholder representative organisations. These included responses from the Leasehold Enfranchisement Association (LEA) and the Campaign for the Abolition of Residential Leasehold (CARL).
	Ministers and officials from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) have also met representatives from the LEA and CARL.
	Summarised analyses of both the 1998 and 2000 consultation exercises are available in the Libraries of both Houses and on the DTLR website. Copies of the responses to the consultation papers from individual leaseholders and leaseholders' resident associations—with the exception of those who asked for their responses to be treated as confidential—are available to the public from the DTLR library at Ashdown House by arrangement.

Middle East

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to persuade the Israelis and the Palestinians to resume negotiations to achieve a just and lasting peace.

Baroness Amos: The UK has played a full part in international efforts to bring the violence and military action in Israel and the Occupied Territories to an end and help the parties resume negotiations. My right honourable friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary and my honourable friend the Member for Exeter have all been intensely engaged on the crisis in the Middle East. We have been in close touch with the Israelis and the Palestinians, with the United States, with our European partners and the governments in the Arab world. The Foreign Secretary also discussed the Middle East with other European Foreign Ministers at the General Affairs Council on 15 April.
	The priority is implementation of UNSCRs 1402 and 1403. We fully support US Secretary of State Powell's mission and call on the parties to work constructively with him for those resolutions, including the establishment of a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian cities, and the implementation of the Tenet plan and Mitchell recommendations with the aim of resuming negotiations on a political settlement.

Anglo Romanian Educational Trust: Schools Twinning Programme

Baroness Hooper: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider reverting to the former practice of waiving visa charges for the visits of Romanian teachers and students under a schools twinning programme arranged by the Anglo Romanian Educational Trust.

Baroness Amos: We cannot waive visa charges for visits by Romanian teachers and students under a schools twinning programme arranged by the Anglo Romanian Educational Trust.
	It has been the policy of successive governments that costs incurred in running a global visa operation should be met from visa fee income alone and should not burden the UK taxpayer. The FCO is also required, under a service delivery agreement with Treasury, to reduce the number of gratis visas issued.
	If an exception were made for the Anglo Romanian Educational Trust, it would put pressure on the self-financing visa operation worldwide, and go against our efforts to fulfil this service delivery agreement.
	It would also be unfair to waive fees in the case of these teachers and students but not for similar applicants—from Romania and elsewhere, now and in the future. To waive fees for all such applicants would place an excessive financial burden on the visa operation.

Daw May Myint

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any information about the location, treatment and condition of Daw May Win Myint, an elected Burmese Member of Parliament who was arrested at a political meeting in Yangon in October 1997, and subsequently sentenced to seven years' imprisonment under Section 5j of the Emergency Provisions Act 1950; and whether they are prepared to make representations to the Government of Burma on her behalf.

Baroness Amos: Our latest information is that Daw May Myint remains in Insein prison. Prison conditions for political prisoners in Burma are deeply unsatisfactory, including lack of adequate nutrition and solitary confinement in small spaces.
	Over 230 political prisoners have been released from detention in Burma since January 2001. Regrettably, Daw May Myint is one of over 1,500 who remain in prison. We are active in the EU and the UN in pressing for the release of all political prisoners.

Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference, 22 and 23 April

Lord Brennan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What topics were discussed during the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial meeting in Valencia on 22 to 23 April.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: My right honourable friends the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Minister for Europe represented the UK at the fifth Ministerial Conference of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership process in Valencia. The meeting took place against a backdrop of high tension in the region. In these circumstances the presence of representatives of Israel, the Palestinian Authority and most neighbouring states was in itself a significant achievement. Ministers discussed the Middle East peace process, noting their deep concern at the current situation, the serious threat it posed to regional security and the risk of a grave humanitarian crisis. The Foreign Secretary held bilateral discussions with the Foreign Ministers of Israel and Egypt and with Nabil Sha'ath of the Palestinian Authority.
	The conference adopted, by consensus, an action plan including a number of initiatives to give renewed impetus to the Euro-Med Process. The Government particularly welcomes the action plan to promote an effective dialogue on culture and civilisation.
	My right honourable friends took the opportunity of the Valencia Ministerial to have bilateral meetings. The Foreign Secretary discussed the situation in the Great Lakes region with his French and Belgian counterparts. The Minister for Europe discussed the state of play in the Cyprus negotiations with Foreign Minister Cassoulides.
	They also had bilateral meetings with their Spanish conterparts in which they took forward discussions on Gibraltar. The Minister for Europe also discussed Gibraltar with his Spanish counterpart in Madrid on 18 April. Our objectives remain to preserve Gibraltar's way of life, establish greater self-government, deliver lasting practical benefits and a stronger economy, and secure a lasting agreement on sovereignty so that Gibraltarians can enjoy security for their way of life. Negotiations continue. Our aim remains, if possible, to reach agreement by the summer.

Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001

Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people have been detained under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001.

Lord Rooker: Eleven people have so far been detained using powers in Part IV of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. Eight were detained in December 2001, one in February 2002, and two yesterday.
	Of the total detained, two have voluntarily left the United Kingdom; the other nine remain in detention.

Nuclear Weapons: Responsibility for movement in UK

Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progess has been made on the transfer of responsibility for the movement of nuclear weapons in the United Kingdom within the Defence Logistics Organisation from the Director General Equipment Support (Air) to the Warship Support Agency.

Lord Bach: The transfer of responsibility for the movement of nuclear weapons from the Director General Equipment Support (Air) to the Warship Support Agency was completed on 26 March 2002. The Ministry of Defence's commitment to nuclear safety and security was maintained throughout the transfer process.

Local Education Authorities: Absentee Rates

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which 10 local education authorities have the highest absentee rates; and which 10 the lowest absentee rates; and
	In the 10 local education authorities with the highest absentee rates, which three schools in each of those 10 local education authorities have the highest absentee rates, and which the lowest; and whether they will give the figures; and
	In the 10 local education authorities with the lowest absentee rates, which three schools in each of those 10 local education authorities have the highest absentee rates, and which the lowest; and whether they will give the figures.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The information requested is given in the tables below.
	
		Table 1: Percentages of half days missed due to authorised and unauthorised absences in schools 2000–01 -- Based on LEAs with the highest absentee rates
		
			  Schools with highest absentee rates Percentage of half days missed  Schools with lowest absentee rates Percentage of half days missed 
			 Manchester 10.0 
			 Ceder Mount High School 23.4 King David Junior School 2.0 
			 Parklands High School 19.3 Didsbury CofE Primary School 3.5 
			 Our Lady's RC High School 18.2 Cavendish Primary School 4.0 
			 Knowsley 9.6 
			 Ruffwood School 18.5 Cronton CofE Primary School 3.2 
			 Bowring Comprehensive School 15.8 Southmead Community Primary School 3.6 
			 St Columba's Catholic Primary School 14.1 Our Lady's Catholic Primary School 4.3 
			 Nottingham City 9.4 
			 William Crane School 21.5 St Patrick's Catholic Primary and Nursery School 4.1 
			 The River Leen School 17.8 South Wilford Endowed CofE Primary School 4.1 
			 Margaret Glen-Bott School 17.4 Greencroft Primary School 4.4 
			 Kingston upon Hull 9.3 
			 Sir Henry Cooper School 19.8 St Thomas More RC Primary School 3.7 
			 Isaac Newton School 16.4 Cavendish Primary School 4.4 
			 Archbishop Thurstan Church of England Voluntary  Controlled School 14.6 Gillshill Primary School 4.7 
			 Liverpool 9.2 
			 Breckfield Community Comprehensive School 20.9 Christ The King Catholic Primary School 2.7 
			 Speke Community School 19.8 St Gerard's Catholic Primary School 3.4 
			 The Queen Mary School 19.2 Childwall Church of England Primary School 3.5 
			 Greenwich 9.1 
			 Abbey Wood School 17.2 Christ Church Church of England Primary School,  Shooters Hill 2.7 
			 Crown Woods School 14.5 Brooklands Primary School 3.3 
			 Conway Primary School 13.9 St Thomas More Catholic Primary School 3.4 
			 Hackney 9.1 
			 Kingsland School 16.2 St Thomas's Church of England Primary School 4.4 
			 Homerton College of Technology 12.8 Baden-Powell School 4.8 
			 Gainsborough Primary School 12.5 Saint Dominic Roman Catholic Junior School 5.1 
			 Sandwell 9.1 
			 Britannia High School 15.0 Lightwoods Junior and Infant School 4.7 
			 Rood End Primary School 14.6 Abbey Junior School 4.9 
			 George Salter High School 13.9 Hamstead Junior School 5.0 
			   St Margaret's CofE Junior Infant and Nursery School 5.0 
			   St Gregory's RC Primary School 5.0 
			 Bristol 9.1 
			 Withywood Community School 20.2 Horfield Church of England Primary School 3.9 
			 Henbury School 15.3 Elmlea Junior School 4.0 
			 Hengrove School 15.1 Holymead Junior School 4.3 
			 Camden 9.0 
			 Maria Fidelis Roman Catholic Convent School FCJ 13.0 St Paul's Church of England Primary School 5.4 
			 Carlton Primary School 12.4 St Aloysius Roman Catholic Junior School 5.9 
			 Richard Cobden Primary School 12.0 St Mary and St Pancras C of E Pirmary School 6.1 
			 Lewisham 9.0 
			 Crofton School 16.1 St Joseph's Catholic Primary School 1.0 
			 Malory School 13.1 All Saint's Church of England Primary School 4.5 
			 Forest Hill School 12.8 Prendergast School 4.6 
			 Westminster 9.0 
			 North Westminster Community School 13.7 Barrow Hill Junior School 3.9 
			 Pimlico School 12.0 St Vincent de Paul RC Primary School 4.8 
			 Westminster City School 9.8 Westminster Cathedral RC Primary School 5.2 
		
	
	Source:
	National pupil absence tables.
	Absentee rate is based on the percentage of half days missed due to both authorised and unauthorised absences.
	
		Table 2: Percentages of half days missed due to authorised and unauthorised absences in schools 2000–01 -- Based on LEAs with the lowest absentee rates
		
			 Schools with highest absentee rates Percentage of half days missed Schools with lowest absentee rates Percentage of half days missed 
			 Buckinghamshire 5.9 
			 Mandeville Upper School 13.4 Tylers Green Middle School 1.4 
			 Quarrendon Upper School 11.8 St Peter's Catholic Primary School 1.8 
			 Cressex Community School 10.5 Butlers Court School 2.5 
			 Rutland 6.0 
			 Vale of Catmose College 7.3 St Nicholas CofE Primary School 3.0 
			 Casterton Community College 7.1 Oakham CofE Primary School 3.8 
			 Edith Weston Primary School 6.8 St Mary and St John CofE Primary School 3.9 
			 Wokingham 6.0 
			 Ryeish Green School 10.0 Hawkedon Primary School 2.7 
			 Bearwood Primary School 9.5 Oaklands Junior School 3.1 
			 Forest School 8.8 St Nicholas Church of England Primary, Hurst 3.6 
			 York 6.2 
			 Lowfield School 12.7 Lakeside Primary School 0.7 
			 Oaklands School 11.2 St Mary's Church of England VC Primary School 2.8 
			 Canon Lee School 11.0 Wigginton Primary School 2.8 
			 Solihull 6.3 
			 Smith's Wood School 11.2 St Augustine's Catholic Primary School 2.4 
			 The Archbishop Grimshaw Catholic School 11.0 Dorridge Junior School 2.8 
			 Whitesmore School 10.9 Our Lady of The Wayside Catholic Primary School 3.1 
			 Trafford 6.3 
			 Broadoak High School 13.3 St Mary's CofE Primary School 2.6 
			 Lostock Community High School 12.0 Tyntesfield Primary School 3.2 
			 Victoria Park Junior School 11.5 Brooklands Primary School 3.3 
			 North Yorkshire 6.3 
			 Pindar School 13.2 Kildwick Church of England VC Primary School 1.8 
			 Richmond School 12.7 Harrogate, New Park Community Primary School 2.1 
			 Scalby School 12.1 Sutton in Craven Church of England VC Primary School 2.2 
			 Cheshire 6.3 
			 Dunham Hill Primary School 22.4 Meadow Community Primary School 0.9 
			 Sutton High School 13.5 St Luke's Catholic Primary School 1.3 
			 Stanney High School 12.4 Parkroyal Community School 1.4 
			 Wiltshire 6.4 
			 Downton School 13.0 St Mary's RC Primary School 2.0 
			 Odstock Primary School 12.9 Derry Hill Church of England VA Primary School 2.5 
			 Lypiatt Primary School 12.2 Baydon St Nicholas Church of England Primary School 2.8 
			   Ashton Keynes Church of England Primary School 2.8 
			 Hampshire 6.5 
			 St Jude's Catholic Primary School, Fareham 18.1 Freegrounds Junior School 1.6 
			 Park Community School 14.2 Abbotts Ann Church of England Primary School 2.5 
			 John Hunt of Everest Community School 14.0 St Peter's CofE Primary School 2.9 
			 West Berkshire 6.5 
			 Trinity School 9.8 Kintbury St Mary's Church of England Primary School 2.9 
			 John O'Gaunt School 9.7 Basildon Church of England Primary School 3.1 
			 Greenham Court Community Primary School 8.8 Shefford Church of England Primary School 3.2 
			 Warrington 6.5 
			 Cheltenham Kingsmead 15.3 Rodmarton School 2.7 
			 Oxstalls Community School 15.2 Harewood Junior School 2.9 
			 Minsterworth Church of England Primary School 13.1 Kingswood Primary School 3.0 
			   Southrop Church of England Primary School 3.0 
			 Gloucestershire 6.5 
			 Hertswood School 16.3 Abel Smith School 1.5 
			 Marriotts School 12.7 St Paul's Church of England Primary School,  Langleybury 2.5 
			 Mount Grace School 12.7 Tewin Cowper Church of England Voluntary 
			 Aided Primary 2.6 
		
	
	Source:
	National pupil absence tables.
	Absentee rate is based on the percentage of half days missed due to both authorised and unauthorised absences.

Older People: Physical Activity

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What measures they are taking to promote physical activity among older people; and what funding has been made available for this purpose.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Standard eight of the National Service Framework for Older People requires the NHS to develop a co-ordinated programme of action to promote the health and well-being of older people, including action to promote exercise. Local programmes to promote physical activity are already being developed as part of the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease.
	To support the development of these programmes, the Department of Health published a National Quality Assurance Framework for exercise referral systems in April 2001. This document offers guidance to primary care and fitness professionals, who work together to offer tailored exercise and physical activity programmes to patients whose health would benefit from increased exercise, including older people.
	The National Lottery policy directions issued by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport require distributors to take into account the promotion of access to sport for people from all sections of society. Older people are a priority for funding in many of the lottery funding streams in place. So far £1.3 billion of lottery funding in England has been distributed to 3431 projects since its inception. In addition, lottery funding of £232.5 million has been allocated to develop a network of Healthy Living Centres across England. The New Opportunities Fund has so far approved and announced 113 Healthy Living Centres in England (correct at 17/04/02) and a number of these are targeting older people, and offer exercise and fitness programmes as part of their activities. Joan

Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Projected Consultant Shortage

Lord Campbell of Croy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to redress the expected shortage within two years of consultants in obstetrics and gynaecology foreseen in the annual report of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The number of doctors currently training as specialists in obstetrics and gynaecology is sufficient to provide around a further 400 trained specialists available to take up consultant posts by 2004. This is a significant level of growth, which the Government believes will meet the projected levels of demand for consultants. The number of consultants in obstetrics and gynaecology has increased by 187 since 1997, an 18 per cent. increase.
	The Department of Health has been in discussions with all bodies involved in delivering obstetric and gynaecology services though the Maternity and Neo-natal Working Group. This group is considering innovative approaches to skill mix and new ways of working to enable services to meet the needs of mothers and babies in the future.

Trade: Foot and Mouth Disease

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 25 March (WA 21-23), what are the values of the exports and imports totals given in that Answer.

Lord Whitty: The attached table shows the monthly value of UK trade in meat and meat preparations between January 2000 and December 2001. The monthly data for February cannot be split before and after the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. Monthly data are provided so that normal seasonal patterns of trade can be taken into account and to show the effects of the gradual lifting of the export ban.
	
		UK trade in Meat and Meat Preparations (2000–01) -- (£ million)
		
			 Trade Type Product Month 2000 2001 
			 Exports Bovine January 1 2 
			   February 2 3 
			   March 2 2 
			   April 2 2 
			   May 4 2 
			   June 3 3 
			   July 2 1 
			   August 2 2 
			   September 2 2 
			   October 2 2 
			   November 2 2 
			   December 2 2 
			
			  Bovine Total  27 24 
			  
			  Pigmeat January 14 15 
			   February 16 14 
			   March 18 3 
			   April 14 3 
			   May 16 3 
			   June 17 4 
			   July 16 4 
			   August 17 5 
			   September 14 4 
			   October 15 4 
			   November 16 8 
			   December 15 6 
			
			  Pigmeat Total  187 73 
			  
			  Poultrymeat January 13 21 
			   February 14 19 
			   March 18 19 
			   April 14 17 
			   May 15 17 
			   June 15 17 
			   July 15 18 
			   August 15 16 
			   September 16 18 
			   October 16 20 
			   November 16 19 
			   December 18 18 
			
			  Poultrymeat Total  186 219 
			  
			  Sheepmeat January 17 24 
			   February 17 14 
			   March 19 0 
			   April 14 1 
			   May 11 1 
			   June 13 3 
			   July 15 4 
			   August 18 5 
			   September 17 5 
			   October 17 4 
			   November 20 6 
			   December 24 10 
			
			  Sheepmeat Total  202 79 
			  
			  Other January 1 1 
			   February 1 1 
			   March 1 0 
			   April 1 0 
			   May 1 1 
			   June 1 1 
			   July 1 1 
			   August 1 1 
			   September 1 1 
			   October 1 1 
			   November 1 1 
			   December 1 1 
			
			  Other Total  12 10 
			
			 Exports Total   615 404 
			  
			 Imports Bovine January 32 43 
			   February 31 37 
			   March 37 53 
			   April 38 43 
			   May 43 45 
			   June 48 45 
			   July 40 40 
			   August 43 47 
			   September 44 41 
			   October 39 46 
			   November 40 42 
			   December 38 47 
			
			  Bovine Total  473 529 
			  
			  Pigmeat January 57 82 
			   February 55 81 
			   March 73 127 
			   April 58 67 
			   May 72 83 
			   June 82 92 
			   July 79 75 
			   August 73 71 
			   September 80 84 
			   October 72 92 
			   November 78 93 
			   December 77 88 
			
			  Pigmeat Total  854 1,035 
			  
			  Poultrymeat January 60 65 
			   February 55 63 
			   March 61 73 
			   April 56 60 
			   May 64 63 
			   June 71 70 
			   July 63 66 
			   August 65 68 
			   September 65 63 
			   October 63 70 
			   November 69 71 
			   December 66 70 
			
			  Poultrymeat Total  759 801 
			  
			  Sheepmeat January 16 16 
			   February 16 17 
			   March 25 29 
			   April 20 24 
			   May 19 20 
			   June 17 15 
			   July 14 15 
			   August 15 12 
			   September 13 16 
			   October 16 12 
			   November 15 11 
			   December 21 16 
			
			  Sheepmeat Total  207 204 
			  
			  Other January 9 11 
			   February 7 13 
			   March 10 14 
			   April 9 13 
			   May 10 15 
			   June 9 16 
			   July 11 14 
			   August 10 15 
			   September 10 15 
			   October 9 16 
			   November 15 15 
			   December 14 17 
			
			  Other Total  123 176 
			
			 Imports Total   2,417 2,744

Osborne House

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress they have made in their plans to reassign the use of those parts of Osborne House which were previously used as a convalescent home under the terms of the Osborne Estate Acts 1902 and 1914; and.
	With regard to the provision by the Osborne Estates Acts 1902 and 1914 that as a memorial to Her late Majesty the Government shall devote the rest of Osborne House and the grounds under their management to be used for the benefit of officers of His Majesty's naval and military forces or their wives, widows or family, what was the legal advice upon which Dr Howells, Minister of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, based his assetion that "I do not believe that that is the law on the matter" (HC Deb 25 March, column, 548)

Baroness Blackstone: The Osborne Estates Acts 1902 and 1914 provide for the parts of the House in the personal occupation of Queen Victoria to be kept open to the public and the rest of the House and grounds to be used for the benefit of the Armed Forces and Civil Service. They do not provide explicitly for a convalescent home.
	We are currently considering with English Heritage a range of options for that part of Osborne House which was formerly used as a convalescent home. These include using the lower floors to enhance visitors' appreciation of the house and the estate; using the upper floors for holiday lets and conferences and opening the gardens previously restricted to convalescent home use. English Heritage is undertaking external repairs to the property which it estimates will be complete by December 2003.

Premium Bonds

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many holders of premium bonds hold the maximum holding of £20,000; when this maximum was fixed; what it would be today if the original figure were adjusted for inflation; and whether they will increase the figure.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: At 9 April 2002, there are currently 304,100 premium bond holders who have the maximum amount invested. The holding limit for premium bonds is £20,000. It was increased from £10,000 to £20,000 on 13 April 1993. Using the "all Items RPI", the limit adjusted for inflation would be £24,822.19. We keep the holding limit under review, but there are currently no plans to increase it.

Coal Mine Methane: Exemption from Climate Change Levy

Lord Jenkin of Roding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How long they estimate it will take the European Commission to reach and announce a decision on whether the exemption, announced in the Budget, of coal mine methane from the climate change levy, will be approved; and what steps they will take to ensure that a decision is reached as swiftly as possible.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The proposed exemption for CMM will offer economic and environmental benefits. The Government are therefore confident that the exemption will be approved as a state aid under the Commission's guidelines on aid for environmental protection. We hope that a decision will be made in the next few months. Ministers and officials will liase with the Commission to ensure that the matter is progressed as quickly as possible Hannington

Public Sector Working Days Lost

Lord Campbell of Alloway: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will give figures for each year between 1996 and 2001, for working days lost in the public sector as a percentage of all working days lost, with separate figures for transport (road, rail, sea and air), post and telecommunications sectors.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter to Lord Campbell of Alloway from the National Statistician and Registrar General, dated April 2002.
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the percentage of working days lost in the public sector and in other industry groups.[HL3718]
	I have assumed that your question relates to working days lost due to industrial action.
	There are no statistics specifically for the public sector but figures on the public administration, education and health industries provide most of the information on the public sector as it is today. Figures on the transport sector and the post and telecommunications sector are collected as a group and cannot be separated.
	The available information is shown in the table below:
	
		Working days lost in the United Kingdom due to industrial action expressed as a percentage of working days lost in the whole economy
		
			  Public Administration, education and health industries SIC*75, 80,85 Transport, post and telcommunications sector SIC*60-64 
			 1996 23 68 
			 1997 28 15 
			 1998 18 49 
			 1999 27 21 
			 2000 44 19 
			 2001 63 20 
		
	
	* Standard Industrial Classification.